Red Tail Cadets Class VI Graduation Held at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Five high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were honored as Class VI of the Red Tail Cadet Program during a graduation ceremony held on Thursday evening, July 30, at Elite Aviation. The event marked the culmination of eight weeks of flight training and life skills coaching received as part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. 

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class VI seated (L-R):

Zariah Rouse, Cameron Carter, Rocko Smith, Joseph Renaud and London Hawkins

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, and Elite Aviation among other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The evening began with the arrival of the Commemorative Air Force Missouri Wing's B-25J Mitchell, Show Me, generously provided as the backdrop to the ceremony. This World War II-era medium bomber, crewed by Matt Conrad and Charlie Bramstedt, is based at St. Charles County Regional Airport - Smartt Field and can be seen at ride events around the Midwest region. The B-25 was also the aircraft type used by the 477th Bombardment Group, where the first class of Tuskegee Airmen crews trained at Selfridge Field, MI in late 1944. The war ended before they could be deployed to the European or Pacific Theaters, but the domestic battle for equality continued for years to come.  

The ceremony began with a series of messages from representatives of the sponsoring organizations who worked tirelessly throughout the year to make the Red Tail Cadet Program possible. Included here are The Crossing Church Pastor Anthony Meyers, Elite Aviation Owner John Tipton and The Crossing Church member and Mayor of Lake St. Louis, Brian McKinney. 

Following the sponsor presentations, the Red Tail Cadets reflected on the program's Pillars of Leadership: Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Legacy and Commitment. Each Red Tail Cadet from Class VI was then awarded a framed graduation certificate along with a Proclamation from St. Louis County, represented here by Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director John Bales, naming July 30, 2025, for each of the Cadets by name.

Two special awards, wood P-51 Mustang models, were given to Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director, John Bales, and Dr. Matthew Miriani, Aviation Medical Examiner, for their support of the Red Tail Cadets.

The Cadets, along with their families and friends, gathered around the aircraft for more photos as the sun set. The Aero Experience thanks Elite Aviation, The Crossing Church and all of the sponsors for supporting the Red Tail Cadet Program again this year!

Red Tail Cadets Class VI Flies Cross-Country from St. Louis to Mount Vernon, IL

By Carmelo Turdo

Red Tail Cadets Class VI recently reached a new milestone: cross-country flight training. The five Cadets and Elite Aviation CFIs, along with The Aero Experience, Elite Aviation owner John Tipton and Chief Pilot Joshua Kelley, departed Spirit of St. Louis Airport on July 21 for the flight to Mount Vernon Outland Airport, IL and lunch at Bonnie Cafe before returning to St. Louis. The Red Tail Cadets are now winding up the flight training portion of the program, though they will continue to participate as Cadet Ambassadors for years to come.

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class VI seated L-R: Zariah Rouse, Cameron Carter, Rocko Smith, Joseph Renaud and London Hawkins

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, and Elite Aviation among other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The Cadets, CFIs and Elite Aviation staff assembled for the pre-flight briefing and flight planning session at 8:00 A.M. on flight day. Flight planning complete, the Cadets conducted their preflight inspections of the Elite Cessna 172S fleet aircraft before the 9:30 A.M. start time. Here we include some views of the preflight activities, the takeoff from Spirit of St. Louis Airport and the arrival at Mount Vernon. The Cadets honed their skills using pilotage and dead reckoning navigation during the flight while maintaining a safe distance from the other aircraft in their flight of five. 

Lunch at Bonnie Cafe is always enjoyable, and it was great to visit one of our favorite Midwest airports. Thanks to SRT Flightline FBO for their hospitality and topping off the fuel tanks for the return flight. After filling up from the great buffet, the Cadets and their instructors posed for the traditional crew photos before flying back to Spirit of St. Louis Airport. 

The Aero Experience thanks the Red Tail Cadets, Elite Aviation and everyone who made this cross-country adventure possible. Check back soon for the Red Tail Cadet Class VI graduation ceremony coming later this week.